North Korea denounces US-South Korea joint military drills: KCNA

North Korea has strongly denounced the joint military drills conducted by the United States and South Korea, asserting its right to self-defense against perceived military threats. State media outlet KCNA reported on August 19 that the drills escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

A KCNA commentary specifically targeted the 11-day "Ulchi Freedom Shield" exercise, labeling the US and South Korea as "warmongers." This criticism emerges shortly after reports indicated that US President Donald Trump had ordered a "substantial reduction" in US participation in the annual drills. Trump also mentioned recent communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though the nature of this contact was not disclosed.

While the drills commenced as scheduled on August 17, South Korean media reported that US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson met with South Korea's Defense Ministry on August 18 to discuss scaling back the exercise. President Trump has been pursuing renewed engagement with Kim Jong Un, despite North Korea's continued expansion of its nuclear weapons and missile programs under his leadership, in defiance of UN sanctions.

Pyongyang routinely condemns the allies' exercises as hostile, while Washington and Seoul maintain that the drills are defensive and essential for maintaining readiness against North Korean threats. KCNA warned that the allies' actions would exacerbate tensions not only on the peninsula but also across the wider Asia-Pacific region. The commentary did not specify any retaliatory measures North Korea might take.

“

warmongers